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Care Opinion

Prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment

Posted By Holtender

"Prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment"

About: North Devon District Hospital / Cancer Services

(as the patient),

I asked for a PSA test at my annual check up a day or two before my 71st birthday. That evening my GP telephoned me to make an appointment that week where I was told my PSA level was 43.8. Several appointments were made at our local hospital (Barnstaple) the first being a biopsy (from which I contracted ecoli/sepsis) then three different scans. Fortunately it wasn’t too long before my brachytherapy treatment started  at Exeter and my wife and I were able to stay at Baker House while I was treated.  Sometime afterwards my treatment continued with  radiotherapy at Exeter for 23 consecutive daily treatments excluding weekends. I was extremely worried about travelling 140 miles daily but the staff arranged a taxi that picked me up at home and brought me back from  Exeter each day - which was a Godsend.

My only problem was the medication I take for a heart condition. After I had the brachytherapy treatment I was told to resume taking the medication (Rivaroxoban) 

after 3 days, which in my case caused blood clots in my urine. I mention this only in case someone with similar or other medication does not have this problem.

I think a good step forward would be a prostate screening programme for men which according to prostate cancer UK they are already working on.

I am very grateful to the medical staff for for the care and treatment I have received and must continue to receive for the foreseeable future.

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Responses

Response from Helen Gough, Urology Cancer Support Worker (Northern Services), Cancer Services (Northern Services), Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 3 years ago
Helen Gough
Urology Cancer Support Worker (Northern Services), Cancer Services (Northern Services),
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 04/11/2020 at 11:20
Published on Care Opinion on 05/11/2020 at 10:27

Thank you very much for taking time to provide your feedback on Care Opinion, Your comments have been shared with the departments involved.

I am very pleased to hear that, between your GP and the hospital, your prostate cancer was diagnosed and treated promptly and that you have been pleased with the care you have received. It is good to know that you and your wife were able to make use of the accommodation at Baker House and the radiotherapy taxi service and that these made life just that bit easier for you during a difficult time.

We are sorry to hear that you have encountered bleeding on re-starting Rivaroxaban after the brachytherapy. Unfortunately, it is one of the common side-effects people experience. I am unsure from your feedback whether or not your symptoms persist. If this is the case, please do contact your Clinical Nurse Specialist and they will be able to offer advice on this.

With regard to a screening service, a lot of work and research is going into finding the best way to manage this and Prostate Cancer UK has been pivotal in this process. In the meantime we are grateful to men, like you, for kindly sharing the word to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

Please don’t hesitate to call if you have any concerns about your treatment. You may be interested to know we have an active support group on Facebook, North Devon Prostate Cancer Support Group which you are very welcome to join.

Best wishes

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Response from Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Wonford) 3 years ago
Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Wonford)

Submitted on 23/11/2020 at 15:48
Published on nhs.uk on 24/11/2020 at 07:48

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. I am delighted to hear that you are so happy with the care you have received. I would like to thank you very much for your positive feedback. Kind comments such as yours are always gratefully received.

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